The great Kabbalist, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, known as the Ramchal, offers a profound insight in his work, Derech Etz Chayim, "The Way of the Tree of Life."
He suggests that if we were truly mindful of a certain hidden knowledge, sin wouldn't exist. Temptation would hold no sway over us – it would be as irrelevant as it is to the angels above. Think about that for a moment. A world without sin.
But why isn't this knowledge readily available? Why does it feel so hidden?
The Ramchal explains that God, in His infinite wisdom, desired something more for humanity. He wanted us to have the potential to conquer temptation, to rise above our base desires through our choices. He wanted us to be active participants in our own spiritual growth, not passive recipients of divine grace. That's why this crucial knowledge remains latent, like a flame hidden within a coal. It’s there, waiting to be ignited.
So how do we ignite that flame? How do we access this hidden knowledge and gain control over our impulses?
Our sages, of blessed memory, offer a clue. In Bava Batra 78b, they interpret the verse from Numbers 21:27, "Wherefore they who speak in similes (Hamoshlim) say, Come to Ḥeshbon..." They explain that "Hamoshlim" – those who speak in similes – refers to those who control their inclination. "Bo'oo Heshbon (Come to Heshbon)" becomes an invitation: "Come and let us calculate the account (heshbono) of the world!"
What does this heshbon, this calculation, involve? It's about taking stock. It's about understanding the forces at play within us, the push and pull between our higher and lower selves. It's about consciously reckoning with the consequences of our actions.
The key takeaway? Those who lack self-control, those who are slaves to their impulses, will never prioritize this kind of spiritual accounting. They're too caught up in the moment, too consumed by their desires. But those who cultivate self-mastery – those who learn to control their inclination – will not only practice this heshbon, this conscious reckoning, themselves, but they will also teach others to do the same. They become beacons of light, guiding others towards a path of self-awareness and spiritual growth.
Think about it. Are you willing to do the work, to make the heshbon, to ignite the hidden flame within? The potential for transformation, for a life free from the grip of temptation, lies within your reach. It's a challenging path, but the rewards are immeasurable. What will you choose?